Assuming that those drones are slow and hot would it be so hard to make a IR guided machine gun like a mini CIWS. Maybe it's enough to give current RWS new sensors and software.
ZTQ-15 and PRC Light Tanks
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Assuming that those drones are slow and hot would it be so hard to make a IR guided machine gun like a mini CIWS. Maybe it's enough to give current RWS new sensors and software.
At that point you would be better off going all the way and implementing an active protection system with 360 degree coverage. Possibly one that is turreted and can rotate independently (e.g. 'Raptor' complex)
Aren't APS system just one-use though? What if multiple suicide drones are attacking?
^The complex I was talking about has four interceptors, and so it can theoretically engage up to 4 threats before it needs reloading. And for smaller self-targeting munitions (e.g. CH-901), one interceptor for each threat should be sufficient. Reloading also seems to be relatively easy in this case.
In any case that's only as an example, and it's entirely possible to have a slightly larger version that is functionally identical, but can also load more and larger interceptors.
Of course, if you get targeted by something like the Grad-style launcher in that video demonstration and it shoots a real swarm of 30+ of them at you, then this complex won't save you either. I doubt a HMG would perform significantly better in that case anyway, and carrying an APS with an equal number of interceptors seems impractical. The ideal defense for this scenario is to just not get into this situation in the first place
I still think that an automated MG with fast servos would kill drones like a Phalanx CIWS shooting a squadron of kamikaze biplanes.
If the MG can shoot out 100 drones from the sky then we will simply send in 200 or even 300. The purpose of drone swarms was already explained by Mohsin77.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Drone swarms are new weapons that require new solutions. Just as missiles were needed to supplant gun based AAA as planes got better, ground forces will need dedicated anti drone weapons as drone tech proliferates. China has always demonstrated a staggering number of soft and hard kill anti-drone systems that are operational deployed years ago.
Current Indian Amazon/Taobao bought and converted civilian drones are easy to jam or fry outright with EW systems.
By the time India manages to field drones soft kill alone cannot handle, China would almost certainly have anti drone laser hard kill systems ready and available for deployment, either in the form of dedicated anti drone laser support vehicles, and/or as add on modules for existing vehicles like Mengshi, and/or as compact units able to be installed on individual tanks and IFVs.
Current Indian Amazon/Taobao bought and converted civilian drones are easy to jam or fry outright with EW systems.
By the time India manages to field drones soft kill alone cannot handle, China would almost certainly have anti drone laser hard kill systems ready and available for deployment, either in the form of dedicated anti drone laser support vehicles, and/or as add on modules for existing vehicles like Mengshi, and/or as compact units able to be installed on individual tanks and IFVs.
There are a limit where it's not cost and logistical effective anymore.